A blog for getting on with life clean and sober ...and for learning what's going on in the world

Friday, June 16, 2017

June 16, 2017 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

Step by StepFriday, June 16, 2017" ...'Faith without works is dead.' ...We have made a list of all persons we have harmed and to whom we are willing to make amends. We made it when we took inventory. We subjected ourselves to a drastic self-appraisal. Now we go out to our fellows and repair the damage done in the past. We attempt to sweep away the debris which has accumulated out of our effort to live on self-will and run the show. If we haven't the will to do this, we ask until it comes. Remember it was agreed at the beginning we would go to any lengths for victory over alcohol." - Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Edition, 1976, Ch 6 ("Into Action"), p 76.

Today, to what lengths will I go for "victory over alcohol" or reconciling myself to the injuries I inflicted on others during my drinking days? The Eighth and Ninth Steps tell us to surrender with absolute humility by asking our Higher Power for the humility to do His will, not ours, and facing and apologizing to the victims of the damage we inflicted. That we might not be able to make amends to someone does not give us an easy out. We must continue to ask for the will to do so "until it comes." In making amends that are required, we may be accomplishing more than taking responsibility for the damage we caused. We finally can be done with the guilt, shame and regret we have carried and reconcile ourselves to the sickness of our spirit. And in doing so, we can start to heal. How far will I go for "victory over alcohol?" Today, any length. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2017